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This book is a work of fiction. All characters and events are creations of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual people or events is purely coincidental.
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Also by Cassandra Lawson
Spells That Bind Series
Shamelessly Spellbound (Book 2)
Moon Virus Series
Raven’s Blood (Book 1)
Embrace the Heat (Book 2)
Seducing Death (Book 3)
Shattered Restraint (Book 4)
Impulsive Destiny (Book 5)
Untamed Winter (Book 6)
Psy-Vamp Series
Vampires and Vixens (Book 1)
Safe Hex With a Vampire (Book 2)
Vampires Prefer Blondes (Book 3)
The Vampire Will See You Now (Book 4)
Wanton with a Vampire (Book 5)
Vampire in Geek’s Clothing (Book 6)
Acknowledgments
I want to thank my fabulous beta readers who give me invaluable feedback. Thank you Amber, Kari, Levenia, and Ria. You ladies are beyond awesome. I also want to thank Levenia and Kari for putting up with my endless changes during the cover design process. As an author, I rely heavily on bloggers and readers. You are all wonderful, and I appreciate your support.
Prologue
The Hunter
You never really forget your first kill. Though it had been many decades, I could still hear her screams when I closed my eyes, and that memory was enough to arouse me to the point of pain. It hadn’t been my intention to kill that first one, but it had been a different time, when humans were considered disposable. In all honesty, we’d considered other preternatural creatures to be disposable, too. To survive, you had to kill or be killed. Luckily, I’d been blessed with the ability to find pleasure in killing.
Reaching a hand down to my uncomfortably tight pants, I stroked my erection through the fabric, enjoying the memory and the anticipation of what was to come. Thoughts of killing have always had this effect on me. While many masturbated, fantasizing about sex, I could only get myself off thinking about the agonized screams of those unlucky enough to die at my hands. Sadly, there weren’t many recent memories for me to savor.
While the laws of the preternatural community gave us some protection, they also bound all preternatural beings by asinine rules that required us to act more human. Sure, it was nice not worrying constantly about someone trying to kill me, but it limited my ability to find real pleasure.
Forcing my mind from thoughts of past kills and preternatural laws, I considered what I’d learned earlier today. There had always been rumors of something like this being possible, but I’d never heard of anyone actually doing it. The prospect was exciting for many reasons. Aside from the kill, there was the challenge involved.
Grabbing my phone, I focused on the important business at hand. The phone rang only once before he answered—no surprise, since I suspected the person I was calling had been waiting anxiously for my reply. Each of us had our own reasons for considering this partnership.
“Have you decided?” he asked, sounding like he didn’t care one way or another.
“Before I agree to anything, there are a few requirements that must be met,” I began.
There was a long pause, and I could picture him struggling with his temper. One thing we had in common was that neither of us liked losing control, a fact that would make this all the more fun because he needed me, which put me in a position of power. Sure, I needed him, as well, but I wasn’t as desperate.
“What requirements?” he snapped impatiently.
“You’ll have to do some of the hunting,” I said. “I’m not going to be the only one risking my ass for this little scheme.”
“Are you saying you’re afraid you’ll ruin your manicure if you do all the killing?” he mocked.
“Listen, asshole, you need me, not the other way around, so I suggest you stop acting like a prick about the whole thing. I’m not your fucking employee. Got it?” My voice remained calm, which was a struggle when dealing with this bastard. The sooner he learned respect, the better it would be for both of us.
“Fine, I’ll do some of the hunting,” he agreed in a bored tone.
“Don’t worry,” I assured him with a grin that I couldn’t hold back. “I’ll take the first one. Tomorrow night, we’ll have our first succubus.”
“Don’t forget the timeline,” he warned.
“Just worry about your end and set up the ritual room,” I said before ending the call. The new moon cycle started tomorrow, and I was going to mark it with a satisfying kill.